How To Gesso Paper

Knowing how to gesso paper will open the door to new ways to add texture and interest to your drawings.

While it's completely normal to gesso canvas and board before you paint – gessoing paper for your drawings can create interesting results.

Also, gessoing paper is an excellent method to recycle old drawings or simply create a fresh surface on which to work.

So if you're searching for a way to add more appeal and texture to your mixed medium art, gessoing paper is an excellent alternative.

Also see my article on what does mixed media mean in art?

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How to gesso paper?

Gesso is a primer that is often used as a base on canvas or paper before drawing or painting. It helps to create a smooth surface that is easier to work on, and it also helps to protect the paper or canvas from damage. If you are using a mixed media sketchbook, it can be helpful to apply a layer of gesso to the pages before you start drawing.

Materials needed

gesso
drawing paper or a mixed media sketchbook
a brush
bowl or container to mix gesso in (sometimes I just apply gesso directly to the drawing)

Steps

Mix the gesso in a bowl or container. You want to make it thin enough to easily apply with a brush, but not so thin that it's watery.
Place your paper on a flat surface and lightly brush the gesso over the entire surface. Make sure to cover the entire surface evenly.
Allow the gesso to dry completely before drawing on it. This is important, as the gesso needs time to set and harden.
If the gessoed paper is still not smooth, you can lightly sand it before drawing on it again. This will help to create an even smoother surface.
Now that your paper is all gessoed up and ready to go, you can start drawing. Experiment with different mediums and see how the gesso affects the way they look and feel. You can also add additional layers of gesso for more texture; just make sure to allow each layer plenty of time to dry before adding another.

Recycling old drawings with gesso

When making larger drawings on thicker Canson or Strathmore paper, sometimes they just don't turn out.

When I'm not happy with an old drawing, I pull out the gesso and go over it. This is a great way to recycle the drawing and give it new life. I apply a thin layer of gesso over the entire surface, letting it dry before I start again.

You can also add a watercolor wash to the dried gesso and lightly sand the paper before you draw on it again. This process can be repeated multiple times, creating increasingly more visually interesting surfaces as the old drawings bleed through the layers of gesso. Many viewers will think this is intentional on your part.

Gessoing over old drawings is not only a great way to reuse them, but it also takes the stress out of using expensive Canson and Strathmore papers for your drawings.

Here are a few additional points that you might want to consider when recycling old drawings with gesso:

Gesso is typically white, but you can also find it in other colors such as black, grey, and clear. Choosing a different colored gesso can give your recycled drawing a different overall look and feel.
You can also experiment with adding texture to your gesso by using different tools or techniques. For example, you might try using a palette knife to create a rough, textured surface, or you might use a roller to create a smoother finish.
Gesso is not the only option for recycling old drawings. You can also consider using other types of primer or even just applying a new layer of paint directly over the old drawing. Experimenting with different techniques can help you find the approach that works best for you.

Sanding the gessoed paper

Once the gessoed paper is dry, I recommend lightly sanding the paper to create a smooth surface to draw on.

Otherwise, the gesso will create a rough uneven surface.

Lightly sanding the gesso will also help to bring out any interesting textures that you've created.

If you want a completely smooth surface, you can gesso the paper again and sand it once it's dry.

Just make sure to let each layer of gesso dry completely before adding another.

When you're finished sanding, your paper should be smooth and ready for drawing.

If it's not, you can always add another layer of gesso and sand it again.

Now that you know how to gesso paper, you can get started on your next mixed media drawing.

How to stop the paper from buckling

It's common for paper to buckle when gesso is applied to it because the gesso absorbs moisture from the air and causes the paper to expand. This can be frustrating, but there are a few ways to help prevent it.

One way to stop the paper from buckling is to weight it down as it dries. You can do this by placing something heavy, such as a book or a stack of papers, on top of the gessoed paper. This will help to keep the paper flat as it dries and prevent it from curling up.

Another option is to lightly spray the dried gessoed paper with a mist of water before placing it under a large drawing board to dry. The moisture from the water will help to relax the fibers in the paper and prevent it from buckling.

Once the paper has completely dried, it should be flat and ready for you to draw on. If the paper is still slightly curved, you can try misting it with water again and weighting it down until it becomes completely flat.

FAQs

What is gesso?

Gesso is a type of paint primer that is often used by artists.

It can be made from a variety of materials, but the most common type is made from plaster of Paris.

Should I gesso paper before painting?

Gessoing paper before painting is not always necessary, but it can be helpful in certain situations.

Applying gesso to paper serves several purposes:

It creates a smooth surface: Gesso helps to fill in any imperfections or roughness on the surface of the paper, creating a smooth base for the paint to adhere to. This can be particularly useful if you are using lower quality paper that is prone to absorbing paint and causing it to look blotchy.
It prevents the paint from soaking through the paper: Gesso acts as a barrier between the paint and the paper, helping to prevent the paint from soaking through and appearing on the back of the paper. This can be especially useful if you are working on a project that will be displayed with the back of the paper visible, such as a sketchbook or a piece of art that is framed without a backing board.
It can create an interesting surface: Gessoing the paper a few times can create a more textured and interesting surface to draw or paint on. The layers of gesso will slightly change the texture of the paper and may create a surface that is more visually interesting.

Should you gesso paper?

Whether or not to gesso paper before painting is a matter of personal preference and will depend on the specific project you are working on.

Here are a few factors to consider when deciding whether to gesso paper:

Quality of the paper: If you are using high quality paper that is thick and has a smooth surface, you may not need to gesso it. However, if you are using lower quality paper that is thin or has a rough texture, gesso can help to create a smoother surface for the paint to adhere to.
Type of paint: Some paints, such as watercolors, are more prone to soaking through paper than others. If you are using a paint that is likely to seep through the paper, gesso can help to prevent this from happening.
Desired effect: As mentioned earlier, gessoing paper a few times can create an interesting texture. If you are looking to create a textured surface, you may want to skip the gesso and paint directly on the paper. On the other hand, if you want a smooth surface, gesso can be a good option.

Is gesso just white paint?

Gesso is not the same as white paint. While paint is a colored medium used for artistic expression, gesso is a white, opaque primer used to prepare a surface for painting.

Gesso is made from a variety of materials, but the most common type is made from plaster of Paris mixed with pigment and a binder such as glue or acrylic polymer. This mixture is then applied to a surface to create a smooth, white base that allows paint to adhere more easily and helps to create a more vibrant final product.

Gesso is often used on canvas, but it can also be used on other surfaces such as paper, wood, or metal. It is known for its porous nature, which makes it a great choice for use as a primer. When applied to a surface, gesso helps to fill in any imperfections and create a smooth base for the paint to adhere to. It also helps to prevent the paint from soaking through the surface and appearing on the back of the material.

How do I apply gesso?

There are a few different ways to apply gesso to paper:

Brush: You can use a brush to apply gesso to paper. Use smooth, even strokes to apply a thin layer of gesso over the surface of the paper. You can use a variety of brushes depending on the effect you are going for. For a smoother finish, you might want to use a flat or round brush, while a thicker, textured brush can create a more interesting surface.
Palette knife: You can also use a palette knife to apply gesso to paper. This method can be useful if you want to create a more textured surface. Simply scoop a small amount of gesso onto the palette knife and spread it over the surface of the paper, using a scraping motion to create texture.
Roller: Another option is to use a roller to apply gesso to paper. This can be a quick and easy way to cover a large area with a smooth, even layer of gesso. Simply pour some gesso onto a tray or palette and roll it over the surface of the paper.

Can I use gesso on any type of paper?

It's generally best to use thicker paper when working with gesso.

Thicker paper is less likely to soak through when the gesso is applied, which can help to prevent the gesso from bleeding through to the other side of the paper. This can be particularly useful if you are working on a project that will be displayed with the back of the paper visible, such as a sketchbook or a piece of art that is framed without a backing board.

If you are working with thin paper, you may want to consider applying a few layers of gesso to help reinforce the paper and prevent it from buckling or tearing when you work on it. This can help to ensure that your project remains sturdy and holds up well over time.

What are some interesting ways to use gesso?

Gesso is a versatile medium that can be used in a variety of ways to create interesting effects.

Here are a few ideas for using gesso in interesting ways:

Textured surfaces: As mentioned earlier, gesso can be used to create textured surfaces by applying it with a palette knife or other tool. You can experiment with different tools and techniques to create a variety of textures, such as rough, smooth, or patterned.
Recycling old drawings: As mentioned earlier, gesso can be used to recycle old drawings by applying it over the top of the existing artwork. This allows you to start fresh with a new layer of paint and can be a great way to give new life to old artwork.
Colored gesso: While gesso is typically white, you can also find it in other colors such as black, grey, and clear. Using colored gesso can add an interesting element to your artwork and create a different overall look and feel.
Gesso on other surfaces: Gesso is not just limited to paper. You can also use it on other surfaces such as canvas, wood, or metal to create a smooth, primed surface for painting.
Layering gesso: Applying multiple layers of gesso can create an interesting effect as the layers build up and create a more textured surface. You can experiment with different techniques and tools to create a variety of effects.